A £110,000 resource centre to provide better adult learning will be launched on Saturday.

The East Thirsk Community Learning Resource Centre will be opened by executive director of the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire, David Harbourne.

Work began on site in April and the centre has had an enthusiastic welcome from people keen to learn new skills.

A number of local people have already signed up for a range of courses and have already been able to make use of the new equipment, which includes 14 computers and an interactive white board.

A £100,000 grant from Yorkshire Forward covered much of the cost, although the East Thirsk Community Association, the Thirsk Regeneration Partnership and Hambleton District Council have contributed.

The centre will be managed through the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire, although the North Yorkshire Learning Partnership and the Hambleton Area Learning Partnership will play an active part in the initiative.

Thirsk district community education manager, Tom Wharton, said he was delighted with the new centre.

"The creation of this learning centre has been a triumph of partnership and co-operation, with many individuals and organisations pulling together to create a magnificent result. Particular thanks are due to county councillor Jan Marshall, whose boundless energy and enthusiasm has been crucial."

Sub-regional action plan project manager at the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire, Martin Wynn said he was confident the new centre would be a huge success.

"Taking learning opportunities closer to local communities is one of our key aims, and we're pleased to be able to provide support for this important new initiative, which is already making training and learning much more accessible for the people of Thirsk," he said.

There will be an open afternoon on Saturday, November 15, for people to find out more and make suggestions.